External flash help
Discussion
Although I've been using a Dslr for a while I'm new to the world of external flashes. Now I've got a nice Metz one. Having read the somewhat confusing manual, I have left it in TTL mode.
Ok . So.. On my Canon i like to use AV mode with the F stop as low as poss. The camera doesn't seem to understand it has a new flash ready as sets the shutter speed way too slow, resulting in super bright super blurred pics.
What am i doing wrong!?
Ok . So.. On my Canon i like to use AV mode with the F stop as low as poss. The camera doesn't seem to understand it has a new flash ready as sets the shutter speed way too slow, resulting in super bright super blurred pics.
What am i doing wrong!?
Sounds like high speed sync isn't enabled, or Metz cannot do it.
EDIT: Just to explain better..... Camera is set to a fastest shutter speed (usually 1/200-250s) when the flash is used, but you need to override this setting if you want to use a faster shutter speed, and not all the flash units are capable of this if they are not compatible.
EDIT: Just to explain better..... Camera is set to a fastest shutter speed (usually 1/200-250s) when the flash is used, but you need to override this setting if you want to use a faster shutter speed, and not all the flash units are capable of this if they are not compatible.
Edited by Gemm on Wednesday 4th December 07:39
EdT said:
Although I've been using a Dslr for a while I'm new to the world of external flashes. Now I've got a nice Metz one. Having read the somewhat confusing manual, I have left it in TTL mode.
Ok . So.. On my Canon i like to use AV mode with the F stop as low as poss. The camera doesn't seem to understand it has a new flash ready as sets the shutter speed way too slow, resulting in super bright super blurred pics.
What am i doing wrong!?
Which Canon, which Metz and how does it connect to the camera (hot shoe or off camera)?Ok . So.. On my Canon i like to use AV mode with the F stop as low as poss. The camera doesn't seem to understand it has a new flash ready as sets the shutter speed way too slow, resulting in super bright super blurred pics.
What am i doing wrong!?
I've been hit with this also. On most/all models, in Av mode the camera sets the shutter speed to expose the scene correctly even if it sees a flash ready. Answer is don't use AV mode with flash go manual or (heaven forbid) P. or, if you have custom functions, set the custom function "flash sync speed" to anything but full auto.
In AV mode, the camera uses the flash as "fill in" flash and doesn't alter the shutter speed from what the camera thinks it needs from standard metering (ie. doesn't factor the flash into the equation).
If you want to control the aperture and shutter shutter speed, stick it in manual and set both to their desired value, the camera will then add as much flash as it thinks it needs to balance the exposure.
If you want to control the aperture and shutter shutter speed, stick it in manual and set both to their desired value, the camera will then add as much flash as it thinks it needs to balance the exposure.
Canon ETTL is pretty simple once you understand what it is trying to do, but an utter mystery if you don't as it varies between camera settings.
P - Use the flash, aperture and shutter speed to light the subject, ignores the background.
Av - Use the aperture specified, adjusts the flash power to light the subject and the shutter speed to light the background. Exposures can become very long in dark environments resulting in blurred backgrounds unless a tripod is used (although the flash should freeze the main subject, possibly with motion trails). Shutter speed is limited to the X-sync speed (~1/200) unless high-speed sync is enabled, so overexposure can occur in daylight.
Tv - Use the shutter speed specified (up to X-sync), adjust the aperture to expose for the background then the flash power to light the subject. If ISO and max aperture combination is insufficient then the background may remain dark. With a fast lens the DoF can become very shallow.
M - Uses the aperture and shutter speed (up to X-sync) you set. Adjusts the flash power to light the subject.
For a simple point & shoot mode, I'd recommend Tv. Set the shutter speed to the lowest you can comfortably hand-hold (the flash will freeze the subject anyway) and the camera will do the rest.
P - Use the flash, aperture and shutter speed to light the subject, ignores the background.
Av - Use the aperture specified, adjusts the flash power to light the subject and the shutter speed to light the background. Exposures can become very long in dark environments resulting in blurred backgrounds unless a tripod is used (although the flash should freeze the main subject, possibly with motion trails). Shutter speed is limited to the X-sync speed (~1/200) unless high-speed sync is enabled, so overexposure can occur in daylight.
Tv - Use the shutter speed specified (up to X-sync), adjust the aperture to expose for the background then the flash power to light the subject. If ISO and max aperture combination is insufficient then the background may remain dark. With a fast lens the DoF can become very shallow.
M - Uses the aperture and shutter speed (up to X-sync) you set. Adjusts the flash power to light the subject.
For a simple point & shoot mode, I'd recommend Tv. Set the shutter speed to the lowest you can comfortably hand-hold (the flash will freeze the subject anyway) and the camera will do the rest.
The flash is a Metz 58 AF-1, the camera a new diddy Canon 100D.
Found a HEAP of flash functions in the menu structure, including 'flash sync speed' which was indeed set to auto. Changing this has sorted it..
Many thanks guys great result !
Found a HEAP of flash functions in the menu structure, including 'flash sync speed' which was indeed set to auto. Changing this has sorted it..
Many thanks guys great result ! Geordie MGmike said:
Which Canon, which Metz and how does it connect to the camera (hot shoe or off camera)?
I've been hit with this also. On most/all models, in Av mode the camera sets the shutter speed to expose the scene correctly even if it sees a flash ready. Answer is don't use AV mode with flash go manual or (heaven forbid) P. or, if you have custom functions, set the custom function "flash sync speed" to anything but full auto.
I've been hit with this also. On most/all models, in Av mode the camera sets the shutter speed to expose the scene correctly even if it sees a flash ready. Answer is don't use AV mode with flash go manual or (heaven forbid) P. or, if you have custom functions, set the custom function "flash sync speed" to anything but full auto.
It's not cheap is it: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Metz-AF-1-Canon-Digital-Fl...
Any reason you didn't buy a Canon flashgun?
Any reason you didn't buy a Canon flashgun?
Based on some reviews, but mostly down to some photo samples I saw online. It's not heavy but packs quite a punch which I like.
The only downside for me is the interface which I find pretty much impossible without having the 100 page PDF printed out. Having said that, now just leaving it on TTL & with this new found PH supplied tweek to the Canon, the results are generally fantastic.
The only downside for me is the interface which I find pretty much impossible without having the 100 page PDF printed out. Having said that, now just leaving it on TTL & with this new found PH supplied tweek to the Canon, the results are generally fantastic.
Simpo Two said:
It's not cheap is it:
You say that, but look at Canon's equivalent:http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000NQQ316/
!!
I have some Metz CT/CL 45s, the oldest being one I bought new in the late 70s, and they are excellent devices BUT the old ones lack the levels of light output control one might like these days. However for power and when bouncing the light off high ceilings they are great.
I also have a canon 580EX II. Good device but on a couple of occasions the results have been erratic especially when used near dusk with variable ambient light levels playing a part. Care required - and picking the moment to revert to full manual mode.
I must make a crib sheet for the custom functions. No way to find out what they do from the device should one wonder if changing one or two might be useful.
Twice I have had a strange experience with complete over exposure. It turned out that the combination of camera and flash had somehow deign to set the flash exposure adjustment to +2 2/3 giving somewhat bright results. I don't think I have yet worked out which combination of settings left that default state in play but it certainly produced some mostly unusable images.
I've not used the Metz 58. However I bought my 580 via the Canon Outlet on eBay (a much reduced potential source these days) 2 years ago for about the money they are selling for today on the 'little' used market. That's about the same price as the Metz can be bought new. as far as I can tell. The additional fill/eye highlight lamp in the Metz may be worth having. I'm not sure how the rest of the specs compare except that the headline output and zoom range seem to be equal as presented.
I also have a canon 580EX II. Good device but on a couple of occasions the results have been erratic especially when used near dusk with variable ambient light levels playing a part. Care required - and picking the moment to revert to full manual mode.
I must make a crib sheet for the custom functions. No way to find out what they do from the device should one wonder if changing one or two might be useful.
Twice I have had a strange experience with complete over exposure. It turned out that the combination of camera and flash had somehow deign to set the flash exposure adjustment to +2 2/3 giving somewhat bright results. I don't think I have yet worked out which combination of settings left that default state in play but it certainly produced some mostly unusable images.
I've not used the Metz 58. However I bought my 580 via the Canon Outlet on eBay (a much reduced potential source these days) 2 years ago for about the money they are selling for today on the 'little' used market. That's about the same price as the Metz can be bought new. as far as I can tell. The additional fill/eye highlight lamp in the Metz may be worth having. I'm not sure how the rest of the specs compare except that the headline output and zoom range seem to be equal as presented.
Gassing Station | Photography & Video | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff